“I was walking around completely de-motivated. I went along with my new trainer to see if I could get the love back for the sport and from that first session I didn’t really look back.

“I lost 21kilos of weight and got back down to fighting weight, now I’m in the gym every day training hard.”

Lost time has proven a catalyst for Parry, who in now embracing the gruelling aspects of training that he had previously shirked.

He added: “When I went 3-0 I almost thought I’d made it and almost got a bit too ahead of myself.

“I thought I could turn up and do the job without a great deal of preparation. I started to go into camp heavy, I didn’t give myself as long a preparation time as I was used to and I really paid the price for that in my loss and draw.

“It was an eye-opener for me.

“When I teamed up with my new coach he said ‘I’m happy to train you and I want to see you do well but there are things we have got to change’ and I took everything on board.”

Neil Parry celebrates his win over Teodor Boyadjiev in September 2018. Goodwin Boxing

Parry is scheduled to fight the unbeaten Nedelcu at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on September 21 in what will mark his first six-rounder.

“I walk into camp now practically on weight, I take my diet seriously, I take my training seriously,” he said.

“I love boxing but the road work and the strength work is my least favourite thing so it was something I neglected.